Variable color sneaker logo and trimmings

ABSTRACT

This invention pertains to the fabrication of a color changing material that when placed on a pair of sneakers can provide a number of different color options for the consumer. The color of this material can be controlled by means of push pumps discretely located on the upper portion of the inside of each sneaker tongue.

This non-provisional patent application is based on the provisionalpatent application filed on May 12, 2004, Ser. No. 60/570,658.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTGINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention pertains to the aesthetic improvement of the sneaker bymeans of adjusting the color of the logo and/or trimming. Currently theconsumer is limited to one color choice for each pair of sneakers. As aresult collecting sneakers of similar style but different colors canbecome quite expensive for the consumer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The substance of the claimed invention is a material that can changecolor on demand. This is accomplished by stacking a combination ofvariable color filters and air pouches. The advantage of this inventionis that the consumer can purchase a pair of sneakers in which multiplecolor schemes for both the shoe logo and trimming are possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: Diagram of the variable color logo and trimming sneaker.

FIG. 2: Diagram of fixed and variable color filters.

FIG. 3: Side view diagram of inner and outer air pouches.

FIG. 4: Front view diagram of outer air pouch.

FIG. 5: Diagram of the exploded view of the variable color logo.

FIG. 6: Diagram showing alternate exploded view of variable color logo.

FIG. 7: Diagram of assembled variable color logo.

FIG. 8: Diagram showing the attachment of the variable color logo.

FIG. 9: Diagram of the sneaker pump system.

FIG. 10: Diagram of the recommended pump mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is functionally based on the ability to change the colorof the sneaker logo and/or trimming as desired. FIG. 1 depicts a sneakerfitted with a color changing logo and trimming. The color changing logois represented by the numeral (1) and the color changing trimming isrepresented by the numeral (2). The parts referenced by the numerals (4)and (3) represent push buttons one and two respectively. These buttonsare used to change the color of the logo and trimming. This color changeis accomplished by using the principle of color subtraction. The colorsubtraction is performed by superimposing a combination of color filtersto produce a desired color. As to the composition of this invention,there are two different types of color filters used: the fixed colorfilter and the variable color filter. These two types of filters areshown in FIG. 2. The fixed color filter is represented by the numeral (1b) and the variable color filter in this figure is represented by thenumeral (1 c).

The fixed color filter is made from a thin colored transparency-likeplastic fashioned in the shape of the desired logo and/or trimming, andas the name implies is fixed with respect to which colors it filters.The thickness of the fixed filter should be no greater than 1 mm.

The variable color filter is made from a thin colorless transparentplastic comparable to the plastic used in food storage bags. Two sheetsof this plastic are placed together, one on top of the other. These twosheets are then stamped by a heated element shaped in the form of thedesired variable color filter. Thus producing a heat sealed variablecolor filter. However one end of the variable filter should be leftunsealed for the purpose of filling it with the desired liquid dye. Justenough liquid dye should be added so that a thin layer of the dye fillsthe non-reservoir portion of the variable color filter. The reservoirportion of the variable color filter, shown in FIG. 2, is denoted by thehatched area represented by the letter Z. The open end of the variablecolor filter can then be heat sealed so that the dye is confined withinthe logo shaped plastic bag. The same process can be used to fabricatethe variable color filter of the trimming. The thickness of the variablecolor filter containing liquid dye should be no greater than 1 mm.

As the name implies, the variable color filter can be controlled so thatthe filter operates in one of two states, one in which the filter admitsall the colors and the other in which only one color is admitted (thiscolor is determined by the dye color). The variable color filter iscontrolled by means of an applied force to the non-reservoir area ofeach variable color filter. This force, as it relates to this invention,is pneumatic in nature and is transmitted to the variable color filterby means of an air-filled pouch fashioned in the shape of the desiredlogo and/or trimming. FIG. 4 shows the front view of the air pouches. Inthis figure the air pouch is denoted by the characters 1 d.

As for the fabrication of the air pouches, they are fashioned in theshape of the desired logo and/or trimming and are made from twodifferent grades of plastic; one that is comparable to that used in thefabrication of the variable color filters and the other of a highergrade plastic. The same heat seal method used for the fabrication of thevariable color filter is used to make the air pouches. The reason forthe use of two different grades of plastic in the fabrication of the airpouches is that it is essential that only one side of the air pouch besignificantly inflated by the internal air pressure. Therefore the sideof the air pouch made from the lower grade plastic will be moreresponsive to internal pressure changes. It is this side of the airpouch that will be placed in direct contact with the variable colorfilter so as to isolate the influence of the air pouch to its intendedvariable color filter. There are two types of air pouches used in thisinvention, both of which are identical in all aspects except for theside of the air pouch that is allowed to inflate. FIG. 3 depicts bothtypes of air pouches; the inner air pouch is represented by thecharacters (1 e) and the outer air pouch is represented by thecharacters (1 d). The type of air pouch that inflates on the side facingtoward the sneaker surface is known as an inner air pouch and the typeof air pouch that inflates on the side facing away from the sneakersurface is known as an outer air pouch. Each air pouch should have athickness no greater than 1 mm and the air lines depicted in FIG. 3should be connected to their respective air pouches in a manner thatensures that there will be no pressure leaks. The characters (1 j)represent the air line to the outer air pouch and the characters (1 i)represent the air line to the inner air pouch.

The operation of the variable color filter in conjunction with itsassociated air pouch is as follows: if the air pouch is empty, the dyecontained in the variable color filter is unperturbed and thus remainsin the non-reservoir region of the variable color filter. Thisrepresents the non-active condition. However if the air pouch isinflated, the pressure of this inflation forces the dye in the variablecolor filter into the reservoir portion of the variable color filter;this represents the active condition. Any component layer adjacent tothe variable color filter acts as a supporting force which complimentsthe effect of the air pouches on the filter. Thus, control of the colorsfiltered has been established.

FIG. 5 gives an exploded view of the components of the color changinglogo material. In this figure we see the presence of two variable colorfilters represented by the characters (1 f) and (1 c). Each of these twofilters is responsible for filtering different wavelengths. Variablecolor filter (1 f) permits the wavelengths corresponding to cyan to passwhile filter (1 c) permits the wavelengths corresponding to yellow topass. The regions denoted as Y and Z represent the reservoirs of the (1f) and (1 c) filters respectively. Looking at this figure shows thepresence of several additional components that have not yet beenmentioned, such as the white backing. The white backing is denoted bythe characters (1 g) and is nothing more than a white piece of plasticor paper that is cut in the shape of the desired logo and/or trimming.The functional purpose of the white backing is to reflect all of theincident light back to the observer. The thickness of the white backingshould be no greater than 1 mm. An alternative to using this whitebacking is to paint the rear side of filter (1 f) white. This wouldeliminate the need for a separate layer to perform the color reflection.This same alternate configuration can be used to eliminate the need forthe fixed color filter layer. In order to implement this method the rearside of part (1 f) should be painted the same color as the fixed colorfilter you wish to replace. A diagram of this alternate configuration isshown in FIG. 6.

The other two components, not previously mentioned, are the back andfront sides of the casing represented by the characters (1 h) and (1 a)respectively. As depicted by FIG. 5, the active layers of the variablecolor logo are sandwiched between two pieces of sturdy, high-gradeplastic, which act as a protective casing. The front side of thiscasing, that is the side facing away from the sneaker surface, must betransparent while the transparency of the back side is irrelevant. Theperimeter of both the back and front sides of the casing should begreater than the perimeter of the active layers (the active layers areall the components lying between the front and back casings); as aresult the two sides of the casing can be attached to one another bystitch or adhesive. The advantage of attaching the two sides of thecasing by stitch is that the attachment of the sides of the casing andthe attachment of the variable color material to the sneaker can beaccomplished simultaneously. The assembled variable color logo is shownin FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows the stitching of the variable color logo. Thisstitching is denoted by the letter W. The hatched region labeled by theletter X represents the area of the logo that changes color. The areaaround the X region should be painted the same color as the sneaker. Thecomposition and fabrication of the color changing trimming material isanalogous to the previously mentioned composition and fabricationmethods of the color changing logo material.

Another point of interest is the choice of variable filter colors. InFIG. 5, there is a color combination of magenta, yellow and cyan. Thiscolor combination provides four possible color options for the logoand/or trimming material: pink, red, blue and black. These color optionswere determined by use of color perception theory. For example, thecombination of magenta (pink) and yellow equals red; the combination ofpink and cyan equals blue; the combination of pink, yellow and cyan addto give black; and finally the absence of yellow and cyan leaves pink.The filter color combination can be set arbitrarily so as to provide thedesired logo and/or trimming color options.

After the variable color logo has been assembled it can then be attachedto the sneaker. FIG. 8 gives a graphic depiction of this attachment. Theleather flap represented by the numeral (5) is lifted as shown in thefigure. Next the variable color logo (1) is attached to the sneaker andthe leather flap (5) is lowered back into place. Finally the leatherflap is either stitched or glued to the sneaker.

The air pouches are inflated by the simple pump system shown in FIG. 9.This system includes the air pouches, air lines and the pump mechanism.The air lines (1 i) and (1 j) correspond to the logo air pouches (1 e)and (1 d) respectively, while the air lines (2 i) and (2 j) correspondto their respective air pouches in the color changing trimming. The airlines should be placed so as to provide minimum intrusion. It isrecommended that these lines be placed within the shoe lining. FIG. 10shows the recommended pump. The pump mechanism shown in this figure iscomposed of three basic parts: the pump bulb (4 a), the release valve (4b) and the air line (1 i). The pump mechanism should be fabricated to beas small as possible and placed on the inner side of the shoe tongue soas to be relatively non-intrusive. The exact specifications for the pumpmechanism are left to the discretion of the manufacturer. The onlystipulation for the pump is that it be discrete, non-bulky and for thepressure release valve to be placed on or near the pump bulb.

The number of pumps needed is dependent on the desired number ofdistinct logo and/or trimming colors. For example, in order to producefour distinct colors you need two pumps, one for each of the twovariable color filters; the other two colors are a result of the fixedcolor filter and the combined effect of both the fixed color filter andthe variable color filters. Therefore, it is obvious that an increase incolor options coincides proportionately with an increase in systemcomplexity, thus introducing a trade-off between functionality and cost.

Now that the components of this invention and their functionality havebeen discussed, we now address the operation of the system as a whole.Referring once again to FIG. 1 we see the two air pumps labeled (3) and(4). As previously mentioned, if there are two pumps we canindependently operate two variable color filters and thus achieve fourdistinct colors for the logo and trimming of the sneaker. We firstassume that both air pouches within the logo and trimming are notinflated; this is our initial condition. The apparent color of the logoand trimming under this condition is approximately black. The nextpossible state of this system occurs when the pump labeled (4) isactivated. This causes the inflation of the air pouch labeled (1 e)which in turn forces the dye in the variable color filter labeled (1 f)into the reservoir labeled Y, thus leaving the non-reservoir portion ofthe (1 f) filter empty. As a result, the (1 f) filter no longer acts asa color filter, but instead, allows all colors to pass. Therefore onlytwo filters remain; the (1 c) variable color filter and the (1 b) fixedfilter. The combination of these two filters causes the color of thelogo and trimming to appear red. The third possible state for thissystem occurs when the pressure of the first pump (4) is released andthe second pump (3) is activated. The release of the pressure of thefirst pump (4) causes the air pouch (1 e) to deflate, which returns the(1 f) filter to its original state (the cyan colored dye leaves thereservoir (Y) and returns to the non-reservoir area of the (1 f)filter). The activation of the second pump (3) inflates the air pouch (1d); as a result the yellow dye in the (1 c) variable color filter isforced into its reservoir (Z) leaving the non-reservoir area of thefilter empty. Thus, the remaining two filters (the (1 f) variable colorfilter and the (1 b) fixed filter) add to give the logo and trimming ablue color. The fourth and final state of this system occurs when bothpumps (3) and (4) are activated; as a result, the dye in both variablecolor filters (1 f) and (1 c) are contained in their respectivereservoirs and the non-reservoir areas of both variable color filtersare left empty. This condition gives the logo and trimming a pink color.As previously mentioned, these color combinations are only one of manypossible color combinations. Using different color filters will resultin a separate set of color options for the logo and trimming.

1) A material that changes color with the application of pneumaticpressure. 2) The material of claim 1, used for the purpose of changingthe apparent color of the logo and or trimming of a sneaker. 3) Thematerial of claim 2, composed of at least one variable color filter, inconjunction with its controlling layer, which is represented by the airpouch.